09/01/2014 BBC Wales Today

George. Thank you. That's all so it's goodbye from me and on BBC

Welcome to Wales Today. Our top story. A new contract for GPs, but

will it make it easier for patients to see their doctor sooner? One of

the challenges we face at the moment is people want to see a doctor or

nurse today. They think it is important to see them today and they

are not prepared to wait for a couple of days to see if the problem

gets better. But more patients are waiting longer for hospital

treatment. The Health Minister admits the NHS is under pressure,

but tells me it's not in crisis. The NHS in Wales is under pressure. I

say to people what the hospitals themselves say. If you do not need

to go to accident and emergency, you should not go there.

Also tonight, as councils continue to make cuts ,how easy is it for

volunteers to run services themselves? RAF Valley's Search and

Rescue Unit is the busiest in the UK. Concerns tonight moving its base

could damage the service. And in tonight's sport: One of

Glamorgan's greats, Hugh Morris, swaps his bat for the boardroom as

he returns to his home county to inspire a new generation.

And mission accomplished. She's the first person to cycle 500 miles to

the South Pole. Maria Leijerstam is here to tell us all about it.

How long should we have to wait to get NHS treatment? The Welsh

Government says changes to the way GPs are paid should make it easier

for them to see patients sooner. But at the same time, a record number of

people are waiting longer than nine months for hospital treatment. In a

moment, we'll be hearing from the minister responsible, but first

here's our Health Correspondent, Owain Clarke.

This, arguably, is the front line of the Welsh NHS. Last year, as a

nation of only 3 million people, we made 19 million appointments at

surgeries like this one. And as many know that it is not easy to arrange

one quickly. One of the challenges we face at the moment is people want

to see a doctor or nurse today. They think it is important to see the

nurse today and they are not prepared to wait for a couple of

days to see if the problem gets better. Another problem according to

family doctors is that they do not get to see some patients because

they are too busy filling forms or ticking boxes. And that is because a

big proportion of the cash surgeries receive is linked to how they

perform against 969 different targets or measures. Charlotte Jones

was part of the team that hammered out the new Deal. It frees up

appointments because we will not be inconveniencing patients by calling

them in for routine reviews when they do not need it. It frees up NHS

resources. Under the new contract, 300 of the 969 target points will

disappear. More it is claimed than anywhere else in the UK but there

will be new financial incentives to encourage surgeries to work together

in groups and to provide better care for people with early cancer and for

those at the end of their lives or who are frail or elderly. Funds will

be distributed to practices in the most deprived committees. The Renee

give shape to contracts is not about making GPs lives easier --

renegotiated. It is about making it easier for them to do the job. But

it did not involve forcing surgeries to stay open. I would like to be

able to phone any time for an appointment on that day but you have

got to really try hard to get through. I phoned up and make my

appointment and then I go to the chemist to pick up my prescription

and they deliver it to me. But even if the new GP contract means

patients get to see their family doctors quicker, critics point out

they might still face big delays later on. Figures published today

show that in November, more patients than ever before, over 13,000,

waited more than nine months for hospital treatment after being seen

by their GPs. The Welsh Government target state that nobody should wait

that long. Owain Clarke reporting. Earlier, I spoke to the Health

Minister, Mark Drakeford. I began by asking him what difference the

change in GP contracts will make to patients. They will see over time

GPs freed up from some of the things that they have to do today in order

to be able to spend more time treating the patient in the round

and as a whole person rather than as a series of things which they have

to do in order to get the money that they get through the current system.

Nothing that you get from your family doctor now in your own

practice will move from your own practice. The purpose of practices

working together in clusters is for them to be able to draw down closer

to where people live services that are currently provided in

hospitals. It is possible that instead of going to a hospital, you

might go to a GP that is not your own but nearby to where you live

because that particular practice will have a new expertise is ebbing.

One of the aims is to reduce the burden on accident and emergency.

How will you measure success? We are putting extra money against a number

of key things that we want to see general practice in Wales do more of

in the future and we will measure their success in doing that. Early

detection of cancer, it is people who want to die at home, end of life

care, rather than being admitted to hospital, being able to die at home,

people always say they would rather do that if at all possible, and then

the care of the very frail elderly. Built into the new contract will be

ways of measuring the new performance and all of those things

will make a contribution to people not needing to be in hospital. A

record high number of people waiting more than nine months for hospital

treatment after being seen by a GP. Even if this plan does work, it will

be little comfort for those patients will have to wait many more months

for trick. There are fewer people waiting over all, I am disappointed

to see the rise in people waiting over 36 weeks. I have made it clear

to local health boards that even in the difficult period over the

winter, I expect them to concentrate on those longer waiters and I expect

those numbers to come down. In Wrexham, the description was that

the situation is a logjam of patients. Is the NHS in crisis? No,

it is not. And certainly one internal e-mail in one hospital in

Wales cannot be generalised to make that sort of point. The NHS in Wales

is under pressure, there is no doubt as we have come out of the New Year

and Christmas holidays, people have come in two hospitals in large

numbers this week, I say to people what the hospitals themselves say,

if you do not need to go to accident and emergency, you should not go

there. You should try and use all the other things that are there for

people to use, GP surgeries, pharmacists, NHS Direct, there are

many other ways in which people who do not need an emergency service can

get the service they need and in doing that, they will be seen

quicker themselves and they will make sure that those people who

really do need emergency treatment at that quicker. Mark Drakeford, the

Health Minister, speaking to me earlier. Other news. A

three-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital after

colliding with a car in Carmarthenshire. The road in

Trimsaran was closed this morning but has now reopened. The girl is

being treated at Morriston Hospital. She is now stable and has been

transferred to Cardiff. Four men have admitted making ?300,000, as

part of a mobile phone insurance scam. Christopher Surman, Andrew

Patterson, Wayne Ghosh and Omar Mapara all pleaded guilty at Swansea

Crown Court to a charge of selling false insurance policies. A jury's

been sworn in for the trial of five others accused of committing the

same offence. A man who shone a laser beam at a

police helicopter in future as its search for a missing person has

pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering the aircraft and crew.

Kevin Griffis was given a five-month suspended sentence and 200 hours

unpaid work. Last night, we told you about Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's

plans to save money by cutting back on services. And across Wales local

authorities are facing the same tough decisions. As a result, many

volunteers are trying to keep services running themselves, but how

easy is it? One group trying to keep its swimming pool open in Harlech

says it's struggling. Caroline Evans reports.

Here, the sky is blue and the skiers are out on the slope. The council

was amongst the first in Wales to hand over the running of its leisure

facilities to try and save money. The trust has been running this

facility and neighbouring leisure centres for six months and it is

going well. But key, they say, has been retaining some funding from the

council. It gives as some stability. It allows us to use the ideas for

the business plan, what we need to improve the income position. Despite

the fee from the council, we obviously need to make sure we have

more customers, giving us more income to help us sustain into the

future. Across Wales, councils are looking to save money.

Carmarthenshire says savings of ?30 million have to be made over the

next three years. In Powys, it is 35 million. They are looking at saving

?1 million by handing over public toilets to a private company. French

Council says the ?15 million it has two save this year alone is one of

its biggest challenges yet. As the axe comes down on many services,

communities are looking for solutions. This theatre is to be run

by the council. Local volunteers came to the rescue to keep it going.

This tennis Centre in Swansea was handed over to volunteers two years

ago. And this swimming pool threatened with closure has been

thrown a lifeline by local people who have pledged to pay ?10 per

month to keep it going. I have signed up for it. I am in the

process of doing it. I have got to find out a few questions about it

first. But I will be putting ?10 per month into it. I think it is

important. It is important we have a swimming pool. But these are

uncharted waters. This win pool was taken over by local people for years

ago. But now they say often of people are swimming and unless

things change, it could close within three months. We are grateful for

the community that has supported us for the three years that we have

been running, as well as all the volunteers helping in the cafe,

swimming pool, climbing wall and also there is a group who have been

helping a lot in terms of fundraising. We just need more of

that really. In the end, whether places like this remain open may now

depend on how much they are valued by the people who use them. Last

night, Rhondda Cynon Taff council warned that their next cuts could

focus on their well loved paddling pool is. They are consulting over

plans to close 12 of them. A review ordered following the recent storms

will look at the impact of flooding and the state of Wales' coastal

defences. Natural Resources Minister, Alun Davies, says it'll be

split into two parts, with the first phase taking place this month to

look at the direct impact of the floods. The second review will

assess what lessons can be learnt. At least 100 new jobs will be

created by the Wrexham-based telephone answering company

Moneypenny. The firm took on 100 people at the end of last year and

say they need more staff to keep-up with demand. Electronic tags to keep

track of hospital linen is to be introduced by Aneurin Bevan Health

Board. It says it'll save nearly ?400,000 a year because they won't

have to replace bed sheets when they go missing.

Nearly 300 people were rescued by the RAF Valley Search and Rescue

Team last year, making it the busiest team in the UK for the

second year running. The ever-increasing popularity of the

Snowdonia Mountain Range and the North Wales coast means they're

setting new records. It comes as the search and rescue service is facing

big changes. Our reporter, Aled Hughes, is at RAF Valley on Anglesey

for us this evening. That change, Tomos, comes in the

form of handing the Search and Rescue work to a private company

from next year onwards. That means moving the operation over the Menai

Straits to Caernarfon and getting rid of the sea king helicopters.

That's raised concern and that's the background to what's been a hectic

2013 here. A welcome hand from above, the

unmistakable yellow Sea King once again reaches those in need. The

crew do not know what will face them or who need their help. From

winching a 17-year-old from a castle turret in June, getting to an

injured quad Aik aid, a boy lost on the steep slopes of the mountain. It

was a record year. To have that extra special part of it to be

helping someone, I would not necessarily say that we have a

direct part in saving people 's lives, but we definitely contribute

a little bit. It is a massive sense of well-being to be able to help

somebody out. A number of those would have been rescued by royalty.

Prince William flew his last mission for the squadron in September,

ringing to a close his time on the island. These helicopters are

familiar sight in the skies of Wales. They are a welcome sight for

those in trouble. They are part of a 70 year history of search and rescue

by the RAF but all that is about to change. A private company will be

responsible for search and rescue from next year onwards, moving the

base to Caernarfon and introducing a new fleet of helicopters to replace

the ageing Sea King. That has raised concerns. Can I honestly believe

that a privatised service will give the dedication and he saw the

bravery, will it be able to do some of the things that the Royal Air

Force and the Royal Navy have been able to do because they are so well

trained? Is the equipment up to the job? But the UK government says the

future service will continue to save lives. And it will use new and

faster helicopters with quicker response times in many cases.

Whatever lies ahead for the krill, last year proved to be a record

year, one that RAF Valley can be proud of as part of its long and

distinguish history. -- distinguished history. I guess there

are mixed feelings. In our proud of their achievements but they know

that the work will leave RAF Valley. They know that the sea king will not

be used in the future. But also knowing that not knowing what the

future holds for them as crew members. You're watching Wales

Today. Stay with us. Plenty still ahead. ?1 million boost to restore

Wrexham's Victorian Cemetery. And her fellow competitors are still

trying to complete the course. We speak to Maria Leijerstam, the first

person to cycle to the South Pole. And with all of tonight's sport,

here's Claire. Good evening. He's the man that

brought in regional rugby and he's hoping he can sort out the current

row between the Union and the Regions. David Moffett, former Group

Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union is moving back to Wales next

week and is confident he can get the backing he would need to be elected

to the Welsh Rugby Union board. He says the current on-going row is a

disgrace and doesn't think either side is working in the best interest

of the game. Another face returning to Welsh sport is the new boss of

Glamorgan Cricket. Hugh Morris started work as chief

executive this week, almost 17 years after playing his final game for

county. He's given up one of the top jobs with England Cricket to try and

turn round Glamorgan's fortunes. He says success will return by

nurturing the best young Welsh players. He's been speaking to our

sports reporter, Ashleigh Crowter. This week, Hugh Morris the

administrator will back into a very different Glamorgan County Cricket

club from the one he left as a player. He has always been a big

hitter, on the field and off it. Close to 20,000 runs in first-class

cricket speak of a man who knows the county game inside out. He helped

Glamorgan win the championship in his final season in 1997. The

current team are not even in the top division. Routinely losing more

matches than they win. He plans on putting pride back in the side. It

is really important for the players to feel special and you will feel

more special playing in division one. You want to be playing at the

highest level you possibly can. And that is the ambition. We have to see

ourselves as one of the top teams in the country. No doubts about the

quality of the stadium. There has been a criticism that Glamorgan have

focused too much on the ground and not on the team in recent years.

Look, it is really important in this day and age that you have the right

facilities at the right environment to play and attract players to the

system and to attract really good players into the club. And it is

important for members and supporters to watch some top-class

international sport and domestic sport in a very comfortable

environment. The investment in the ground has been really important,

but we are a cricket club and we must improve on the field. He is

also the club 's director of cricket. He helped oversee the

appointment of the new head coach. The coaching group which includes

two of his former team-mates will now prioritise keeping hold of the

best young Welsh players. I was very fortunate 20 years ago to play in a

Glamorgan side, 80% of us came from Wales and came to the system. I

would like to return to that type of development programme. But is high

on my priority list. He spent a grim final few weeks managing England

cricket on the calamitous Ashes tour. It has taken some of the gloss

off a very successful period. But with the new year, a new challenge,

making Wales proud of Glamorgan once again. She's the first person ever

to cycle to the South Pole and what's more, she's Welsh.

35-year-old Maria Leijerstam, from the Vale of Glamorgan, completed the

500 mile across Antarctica in ten days, just before Christmas. She

also beat two male rivals in the challenge. She's back now and I'm

delighted to say she's here. Huge congratulations. An incredible feat.

I have just arrived back last night. I have almost just sunk back into

normal life. In normal clothes on, eating at a normal table. I have to

been and what I have done. For most of us, it's hard to imagine what you

went through. We can season footage of you training. But you also had a

knee injury. Yes, it was something I was aware of before I went out. I

have had a weakness in that need before. It was at the forefront of

my mind all the time. I had done a lot of training so I knew my fitness

level was up to it. It was a big experiment but my knee was always

something that I was concerned about. And around day five, I did

start to suffer quite badly with it. A lot of it was sort of pain

control that I had to go through. I took a lot of painkillers and I just

had my end goal in mind the whole time I just focused on about every

single day. Incredible stuff. How on earth do you cycle through a snow

drift? It sounds impossible. I had looked at the conditions in

Antarctica and I came to the conclusion is that a normal bike

going a standard route would not really work in this circumstance so

I basically set about redesigning polar travel. I worked with a

company and we came up with a concept for this polar cycle. It has

three wheels and gives me stability. And when there are strong winds

blowing, I am still very stable. And it also allowed me to use my hands

on the wheel when my rear wheel was not getting the traction. I have two

ask about your two male rivals. They are still trying to finish. Yes,

they set off almost three weeks before me. They have gone the

traditional route. I flew in three weeks later and started and I am

home and they are still probably there with three weeks to go. I feel

terrible about that. Congratulations. A huge achievement.

Thank you for coming in to talk to us.

Wrexham's Victorian Cemetery could be given more than ?1million of

Heritage Lottery money. It's the final resting place of many

important local figures but is in need of major restoration work. It's

one of only 15 parks and cemeteries to be short listed for funding and

the only one in Wales. 11-year-old Ethel Irene was the

first person to be buried here. But since then, Wrexham Cemetery has

grown to accommodate thousands of graves. From that of Yeaman

Strachan, who designed it, to the memorial for Polish servicemen who

died at a nearby hospital during the war. It is in Polish, Welsh and

English. But this was originally designed to be an attraction in

itself. They actually went out and advertise the cemetery. It was

somewhere for people to go as part of their leisure pursuits. Come for

an afternoon stroll. They would advertise it round the country. 138

years on, it's lost some of its appeal. The crumbling chapel and

unstable headstones are in need of urgent restoration. Thanks to a

Heritage Lottery fund it could be about to get ?1 million. Cemeteries

are important for the hidden histories of the particular

locality, the particular location, and it is an opportunity for local

people to find out about those hidden histories. Wrexham council

has won an initial ?50,000 to show what it would do with a million and

it has big plans. We need to do a conservation plan because the

historic buildings here are in a very poor state. We need to do an

activity plan which looks at how involved the local community can be,

involving schools, and then we need to look at the long-term future of

the site, which weighs a management plan over the next ten years. --

which is a management plan. If the proposals get the go-ahead work on

repairs and educational programmes could soon be underway. The days of

people taking casual stroll through graveyards are perhaps a thing of

the past but this new money could enable another generation to come

here and learn about the bubble made a significant impact on Wrexham

before being laid to rest at the cemetery. -- the people. Time now

for the weather forecast. Saturday is your best bet in terms

of dry weather. We do have more rain in the forecast for tomorrow. It

will get colder tonight. And if that was not enough, there is a warning,

a yellow warning, for some ice. There is the potential for some

slippery services tomorrow. Mainly along the border, those icy patches

overnight. Into tomorrow morning, showers rolling in from the west.

Mainly along parts of the South. Maybe some clear spells for parts of

Flintshire, Wrexham and Powys. Overnight temperatures two Celsius.

It is this weather front bringing the rain tomorrow and then we will

see high pressure building on Saturday and then before you know

it, the next weather system coming in on Sunday. A variety of weather

for the weekend. Through tomorrow morning, it is a cold and frosty

start, especially for parts of Powys. Then the rain comes rolling

in from the west by mid-day. Top temperatures nine Celsius. Still

fairly mild for the time of year. As we go into tomorrow night, much of

the rain will be gone. I pressure will build and we will see clear

skies overnight. The temperatures will dip away. Frosty patches along

the border. Overnight temperatures around the freezing bank for

everybody. A very cold night into Saturday morning. Saturday is your

best day. First thing in the morning, some rain across parts of

Anglesey. As we go through the day, becoming brighter for everyone. The

best day of the weekend, as I mentioned. On Sunday, starting cold.

As we go into the afternoon, we will see some rain coming in from the

West. That will clear on Monday. A day of sunshine and showers. And

then the weather will get much colder towards the end of next week.

The main news again from the BBC. The Welsh Government says changes to

the way GPs are paid, should make it easier for them to see patients

sooner. It comes as a record number of people are waiting longer than

nine months for hospital treatment. There's more on our website. I'll be

back at 8pm and after the BBC News at Ten. From all of us

back at 8pm and after the BBC News at Ten. From all of us here, have a

good evening.